Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-22
THE OLDEST LAWYER.
Death Of Judge Hiram A. Phelps.

Hiram A. Phelps, the Oldest lawyer
of the llopkinsville bar, died at his
residence on Main ST., Monday, Z rs p.
m, of complication of stomach and
liver disorders, after several weeks i'll
ness. Mr.. Phelps was born July Is,
1872, in Caldwell county, being in his
10th year at the date of his death.
He went to Lexington, Ky, in his
| fifteenth year TO learn the trade of
carriage-making and came 10 Hop
kinsville in 1884. His father, John
Phelps, was then Clerk of Christian
County Circuit Court, and he entered
the office as deputy and began the
study of the profession of which he
was an honored and successful mem
Der for nearly half century.
lie was married In Hopkinsville in
November 1912 to Miss Cornelia f.
Campbell, daughter of the late Capt.
Jno. p. Campbell, who with ten
CuilultH SURVIVES HiHl,
He began to practice with Hon.
Ninian Edwards Gray and was after
wards associated with the ablest
members Of the bar in the city. He
was partner successfully of Henry
]. Sites, WHO was afterwards mem
Der of the Court of Appeals and for
many years distinguished Judge in
Louisville; of VIM. W. Wallace; of
Col. Robert Mckee, who subsequently,
removed TO New Orleans; of Judge
A: ID. Rodgers, and up TO the time OF
his death, of his son John Phelps. In
all his professional associations he was
diligent and treless student, attend
ing to business with scrupulous fldcl-
ity and vigilance for the interests of
his clients.
OF delicate constitution aud mar
tyr TO that terrible malady dyspep-
STA from his youth, he never yielded
TO its tortures, but was resolute in the
purpose which he attained, to stand
at the head of his calling. lie loved it,
It was the leading object of his outer
life. He grappled with every diff
Guilty and studied all his cases in all
their details, grounding himself al
ways thoroughly in the grand princi-
Piles Of the law. Whoever was assoc
ciated with him in case felt sure
that he had sifted it 10 the bottom.
Whoever was opposed to him knew
that he must encounter a foeman
worthy Of his steel, familiar with
every point Of ground a,fii1cSigne of
vantage" He was counsel in almost |
every case when lawyers from Bow
ling Green, Russellvile, Elkton,
Princeton, Henderson, Cadiz and Mad
isonville, as was the custom years ago,
travelled around the circuit and
practiced at the Hopkinsville bar
and when Matthew Mayes, Robert
Patterson, John McLarning, Francis
NJ. Bristow, John w. Crockett, Henry
]. Sites, Fidelio Sharp aud other
strong attorneys were in the flower
of manhood.
Although Judge Phelps life was
strictly professional aud he shrank
from publicity OF every kind, he was
a general favorite with his associates
and remarkably popular with the
youngerlawyers whom he was always
ready to assist by careful counsel in
the preparation of their cases. He
possessed great fund Of dry humor
and quaint jest, and had keen rel
ish for social relaxation. lie had
thorough aversion TO pretense and
show of every kind, and 1t needed
some intimacy with him to appreciate
his rich and varied stores of knowl-
edge. He was familiar with the
Scriptures, and with the grand truths
of the christian religion, in which
during his last illness he declared
his firm and unclouded faith.
A marked trait OF Judge Phelps
character was his disposition TO
praise rather than censure, to be ST.
lent when he could not excuse. He
could "gently scan bis fellow man.
in the spirit of that most pathetic
and forcible of all prayers, Forgive
us our debts as we forgive our
debtors"
Another loyable trait was his at
tachment to youngpersons. Hisyouth-
full companions were many. 1t is
the misfortune Of some to care for old
friends only, as they grow old them
selves, 10 make no new ones, while
arrangements, removals and death
fast contract their social circle for
getting that he who ceases to make
friends after passing the milestone
of middle age, will, If his life be pro-
longed, soon find himselfa stranger
in a strange world, hermit in des-
ert, cut of from human sympathy.
In the long procession Of mourners
which followed the aged lawyer TO
his grave Wednesday, none Borrowed
more sincerely than host Of young
men who recalled his cordial saluta-
ton, his friendly chats in chance
slrolls along the streets, his pleasant
words of unobtrusive counsel. These
words and acts of grace fall like
cheering sunshine ON the tomb Of
theer departed friend of whom they
think as one who has gone to a land
where youth Is renewed and immor-
tai. ..1 -.l-l...-. ..-.-...-..i. i..lls.
His home life was beautiful. In
its calm pleasures he found his chief
relaxation from the cares Of business.
His children were always his well
come companions. The friends Who'll
called there were always cordially
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